Investing.com# — Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) successfully launched its first 27 operational satellites for Project Kuiper on Monday, marking its entry into the satellite internet sector dominated by SpaceX's Starlink network.
The satellites were deployed in low Earth orbit aboard an Atlas V rocket from United Launch Alliance at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Amazon launched two experimental satellites in 2023. The Project Kuiper aims to deploy a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide global broadband internet coverage.
Amazon plans to start service later this year, targeting underserved areas and competing with Elon Musk's Starlink network.
Starlink currently operates more than 7,000 satellites and serves over 5 million users in 125 countries.
The launch comes after previous delays, as Amazon now faces a deadline from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to deploy half of its satellite network by mid-2026.
The company has invested more than $10 billion in the initiative and secured multiple launch contracts, including with Blue Origin and Arianespace.
Amazon's entry into the satellite internet market is seen as a strategic move to diversify its business portfolio, leveraging its existing infrastructure and cloud computing services.
